2020 Spring/Summer Heartbeat Newsletter

Spring/Summer 2020

St. Louis

HEARTBEAT

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM RMHC

WHAT’S INSIDE Letter from the Board Chair COVID-19 Update; How You Can Help, Wish List 5 Meals from the Heart Update 6 Events Update; Red Shoe News 7 2019 Impact 8 Welcome to the Board 9-10 Meet the Smith Family 11 Volunteer Spotlight: Matt Scheu 12 Volunteer Opportunities; Heart & Sole Award Winner 13-16 Cornerstone Society Donors; Major In-Kind Donors 17-19 Memorials & Tributes; In Loving Memory 20 You can Help Brighten our Future 21 Meet the Rosuck Family 22 A Home Run Partnership 23 New Faces 24 A Longstanding Tradition 25-26 Heartbits 2 3-4

OUR MISSION: To provide a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children

2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEB VOGT, CHAIRPERSON JEFF BARONE, VICE CHAIRPERSON BRIDGET HOY, TREASURER TONY IRACE, SECRETARY KAREN BAER STEVE BESHORE DAVE BRANDT DR. MARY MICHAELEEN CRADOCK GREG DIEKEMPER JOAN ELHOFFER BEVERLY GARNER CHRIS GIARLA MARK HEFFERNAN SCOTT KARCHUNAS ALICIA JETT

DR. JOSEPH KAHN RYAN KURYLA STEVE MALTER JIM MOSBY MICHELE MUSCARELLA-HARMON JILL OLLER TIM REEVES ELLYN ROSENBLUM NOLAN RUIZ KEITH SCHIELER DAVE TORNETTO

RMHC ST. LOUIS STAFF DAN HARBAUGH, PRESIDENT JASON HUFF, VICE PRESIDENT, DEVELOPMENT JUDY SCHULER, VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS CHERI WUERTZ, VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE ALISON KASPAR, DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES PAT NEWBY, DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATION RICH RODGERS, DIRECTOR, FACILITIES VERONICA BIVER, SENIOR MANAGER, FAMILY SERVICES, PARK AVE. MICHELLE BURMANN, SENIOR MANAGER, FINANCE COURTNEY FISCHER, MANAGER, FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM JACOB MCGUIRE, FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST COUNTY ABBY MAUER, EVENT MANAGER KELSEY CRIPE, FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST PINE LAUREN ST. JOHN, INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER LANISHA THOMAS, DATA MANAGER COURTNEY BRADSHAW, FAMILY ROOM PROGRAM COORDINATOR MCKENNA COOPER, VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR MALLORI GREEN, COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR BARB JARVIS, FINANCE COORDINATOR LAUREN BRYANT, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT CLARE BURKE, ASSISTANT FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST PINE KATIE LAYMAN, COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT MAKAYLA JOHNSON, FAMILY ROOM ASSISTANT MANAGER ANDREA PRUITT, ASSISTANT FAMILY SERVICES MANAGER, WEST COUNTY LARRY PRY, DATA ASSISTANT EMILY KOHLBERG, HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT NICKI ISLAND, RECEPTIONIST, PARK AVE. SHANNON BROADWAY, HOUSEKEEPER, PARK AVE. APRIL CUSAMANO, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST PINE VICKI RUCKMAN, HOUSEKEEPER, WEST PINE JOY TATE, HOUSEKEEPEER, WEST COUNTY

A Note from our BOARD CHAIRPERSON It’s safe to say that this year has thrown us for a curve. Everyone is finding ways to adjust to the “new normal,” but there is still so much uncertainty about what the future holds. Worries about the health and safety of yourself and your loved ones. Worries about financial security.

These uncertain times also serve as a glimpse into the worries RMH families feel on a daily basis. Having a child with complex medical needs is a lifechanging event. A journey filled with questions regarding their child’s health and practical items such as: Where will I stay? Where will my next meal come from? Will my job be waiting for me when we return home? Will my child be okay?

That’s why the work we do is so important. We want to eliminate as many of these worries as possible so they can focus on what matters most – their child. Your support helps provide a comfortable place for families to come back to after a long day at the hospital, a nourishing meal waiting for them in the kitchen, a community of fellow families, and so much more.

But even in the uncertainty, there is still so much to celebrate. 2020 not only marks another decade of serving seriously ill children and their families, it also brings about some very important milestones, all of which are possible thanks to you - our incredible donors, volunteers and friends.

This year, we will celebrate the 35th Anniversary of our Cushman & Wakefield/RMH Golf Tournament & Dinner Auction, our largest annual fundraiser and one of the premier golf events in St. Louis. The success of this event is a true reflection of the tireless efforts put forth by our Golf Tournament Committee, co-chaired

by Scott Bazoian, who is celebrating 15 years, and Steve Fahrig, who is celebrating 10 years as a co-chair.

In addition, this year marks the 35th Anniversary of dedication and support from our friends at Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker. Agents from offices around the St. Louis Metro Area host fundraisers such as trivia nights, potluck lunches, yard sales, and raffles, in addition to planning and executing an annual celebration event each November.

Finally, the 20th Annual Kids & Clays event will take place this year, with help from the National Kids & Clays Foundation. We are proud that the St. Louis event is the most successful nationwide among RMHC Chapters, and we especially appreciate the support of our Kids & Clays Committee.

We look forward to being able to celebrate with you in person as soon as we can.

At Ronald McDonald House Charities St. Louis, we believe in the Healing Power of Family. Thank you for being a part of our family and on behalf of the thousands of children and families we serve, please accept our heartfelt gratitude.

Stay well and be safe,

Deb Vogt Board Chair

OUR MISSION WILL GO ON, WITH YOUR SUPPORT. Dear Friends, Wow! What strange and unprecedented times we live in. It sure is hard to believe that something like this could happen, but what a learning experience it has been.

It is very sad for us to not have our Family Rooms open and not see all of our volunteers at the Houses, Family Rooms and Committee meetings. Cancelling our Volunteer Appreciation Night and our Golf Tournament are two of the most painful decisions I have been a part of with Ronald McDonald House. And due to guidelines from our Global office, not being allowed to accept new families into our Houses throughout the past seven weeks has been difficult, as well.

But hopefully, someday soon, things will rebound, and we will get back to some type of normalcy.

In the meantime, the acts of kindness and generosity that we have witnessed during this challenging time have been incredible.

The response to having to shut down our Meals from the Heart program and rely only on meals being delivered has been unbelievable. We have provided meals every night at all three Houses for the past eight weeks, thanks to a tremendous community of supporters.

With the Golf Tournament being postponed until later on this year, we have begun reaching out to those who have “Sponsored a Family” through this event in the past to see if they would do so again this year. Everyone we have called to date so far has said, “Yes.” Once we confirm the new date, we will let you know.

Many folks have called to ask what we need, and then they send household items or even bring by carloads and boxes to fulfill our requests. The kindness that takes place on a daily basis related to our organization is truly remarkable!

Thanks so much for being a friend to the Ronald McDonald House throughout the years.

We know we will get through this with the support of our friends and partners, like you.

Always grateful,

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Dan Harbaugh President

HELPING DURING COVID-19 1. Make a donation. Your financial support will help us continue to be here for our families. Donate today at www.rmhcstl.com/helpnow.

2. Provide a meal. We have suspended our Meals from the Heart program, but you can help by providing funding for meals. Donate at www.rmhcstl.com/donate and select “Meals from the Heart Relief” from the gift designation drop-down menu.

Or, for information about how you can have food delivered to one of our Houses from a local restaurant, visit www.rmhcstl.com/meals.

3. Donate Wish List items. We have updated our Wish List with the most important items. You can donate these items from the safety of your own home through our Amazon Wish List. Your donated items will be delivered right to our doorstep and put to great use. Visit www.rmhcstl.com/wishlist for more information.

4. Shop AmazonSmile. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon. com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to RMHC St. Louis!

5. Round-Up for RMHC. Don’t forget – if you happen to be visiting your local McDonald’s drive-thru, ask to round up your total to the nearest dollar. Your small change makes a big difference.

OUR WISH LIST Kitchen Items: Sweet/salty individually wrapped snacks Ziploc bags (quart and gallon size) Paper bowls & plates Non-stick frying pans Plastic forks and spoons

Laundry & Cleaning Supplies: High-efficiency laundry detergent Disinfectant spray Clorox wipes Multipurpose cleaner Floor cleaner Hand soap

Miscellaneous: Hand soap Travel-sized hygiene products Disposable razors Individually packaged toothbrushes Feminine products

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MEALS FROM THE HEART The St. Louis community is answering the call to feed RMHC guest families

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ne of the most important ways we provide the comforts of home to families staying at our Ronald McDonald Houses is serving nightly dinners and breakfasts on weekends.

Typically, groups of volunteers purchase food and prepare meals in our large, community-style kitchens, allowing families to enjoy something more than snacks out of a vending machine at the hospital.

Once the pandemic hit the United States in early March, it was imperative to pause our Meals from the Heart program for the safety of our guest families. Without these regular visitors, it became increasingly difficult to provide fresh, homemade meals.

Without hesitation, members of the St. Louis community stepped up to help by having food delivered.

“The response to our Meals from the Heart program is incredible!” RMHC St. Louis President Dan Harbaugh says.

Our friends at Papa John’s had pizzas delivered

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twice a week to all three of our St. Louis-area Ronald McDonald Houses starting the first week the program was suspended.

Employees at Martin Brower, a leading logistics service provider for restaurant chains - including McDonald’s - have donated $7,000 to cover the cost of food for the evenings with no scheduled deliveries.

Everstream, a business-only fiber network company, also committed to helping seven RMHC chapters in the Midwest by donating 8,000 meals in communities where they have local offices. Here in St. Louis, that donation will cover 30 nights worth of meals, which Everstream will order exclusively from local restaurants.

These are just a few amazing examples of the generosity we have received during these uncertain times.

Our work here will go on with your continued dedication and support. If you are interested in supporting our Meals from the Heart program, please visit www.rmhcstl.com/meals. ■■

SPECIAL EVENTS UPDATE Each year, proceeds from special events raise more than $1.5 million toward the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. Due to COVID-19, we are working on finalizing our 2020 event dates. For the most up-to-date information, visit us online at rmhcstl.com/events.

• June 27 - 16th Annual Tab Top Pandemonium • August 2020 - 20th Annual Kids & Clays Tournament • September 18 - 27th Annual Scramble for Charity Golf Tournament • September 2020 - 35th Annual Cushman & Wakefield/RMH Golf Tournament • Fall 2020 - Online Auction

RED SHOE SOCIETY ST. LOUIS

RMHC St. Louis’ Young Professional Group

GIVE STL DAY 2020 On Thursday, May 7, the Red Shoe Society launched a campaign to raise $1,500 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis through St. Louis’ annual day of giving, Give STL Day. By engaging their membership base and utilizing social media, Red Shoe was able to raise almost $3,000 for The House that Love Built! Special thanks to all who donated.

For more information, visit rmhcstl.com/redshoesociety or reach out to RSS President, Maggie Bailey, at mrgrtbailey@gmail.com.

Meet the Red Shoe Society’s

2020 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Maggie Bailey PRESIDENT Kristie Ream TREASURER Phil Saettele SECRETARY

Kimberly Horan PR/MARKETING CHAIR Dustin Brown DEVELOPMENT CHAIR Julie Leaderbrand SOCIAL CHAIR

Kayla Drury SERVICE CHAIR

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A LOOK BACK: 2019 IMPACT In 2019, more than 700 families received lowor no-cost housing through our three St. Louisarea Ronald McDonald Houses and eight longterm apartments. In addition, members of the St. Louis community prepared and served nearly 1,000 meals to guest families through our Meals from the Heart program.

Thanks to our four in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, more than 9,000 families found respite. These special spaces are located inside Mercy Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and are staffed entirely by volunteers.

Speaking of volunteers, we are so fortunate that more than 1,500 individuals donated their time and talents to RMHC St. Louis in 2019, through our Ronald McDonald House Program, Ronald McDonald Family Room Program, Board of Directors, numerous advisory committees, special events and more. Together, their commitment exceeded 38,000 hours!

It is with grateful hearts that we extend our deepest thanks to friends like you. On behalf of the families we serve, thank you for your continued support.

BY THE NUMBERS

A MESSAGE FROM A GUEST FAMILY WHO CALLED THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE “HOME” IN 2019: “If we ever needed anything as far as food, shelter, laundry, a place to bathe and a place to lay our heads, this was it. The staff did all they could to convince us that it was our home away from home. The genuine hospitality is rare anymore, and we could not be more thankful.”

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WELCOME TO THE BOARD RMHC St. Louis welcomes the following individuals to the 2020 Board of Directors: SCOTT KARCHUNAS is

a Senior Vice President of Protective Life Insurance Company and President of Protective’s Asset Protection Division. Scott has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive finance and insurance industry. Scott earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters of Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis. He is also a member of the Olin School of Business EMBA Alumni Association. Prior to joining hte Board of Directors, he served on the Golf Tournament and PR & Marketing Committees for RMHC. Outside of work, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife, Lisa and two children, Sarah and Marshall.

ELLYN ROSENBLUM

serves as the Director of Strategy and Business Development for SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital. She has more than 15 years of health care experience in the development of physician relationships, CME programs and telehealth initiatives. Ellyn graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a BSBA in Finance, and she went on to earn her MHA from Washington University in St. Louis. Before joining Cardinal Glennon in 2018, Ellyn served as the Manager of Physician Services and Telehealth for BJC St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

THANK YOU! We would like to thank our 2019 outgoing Board Members Shawn Dryden and Steve Fahrig for theiryears of outstanding dedication and service to the RMHC mission.

SHOP THROUGH AMAZON SMILE Do you shop online at Amazon.com? If so, you could help support RMHC St. Louis at no cost to you, all with the click of a button.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support RMHC St. Louis every time you shop.

Simply visit smile.amazon.com, log in using your existing Amazon account, and select Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis as your charity. Then start shopping! A portion of the purchase price will be donated to RMHC St. Louis at no cost to you. After you have selected our organization, Amazon will prompt you to use AmazonSmile in the future, and you can even bookmark the link.

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MEET THE SMITH FAMILY The Ronald McDonald Family Room kept this Wentzville family close when it mattered most.

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hen Megan Smith checked into Progress West Hospital - where she normally spends her days as a nurse rather than a patient - for a scheduled C-section on August 2, 2019, she never dreamed of the journey that lay ahead.

However, just minutes after her twin daughters Nora and Josephine were born, Megan and her husband, Josh, heard the frightening words: “We need to call Children’s right away.” And in that moment, their world turned upside-down.

While doctors tried to stabilize Megan’s blood pressure, the babies were taken straight to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Nora had been born with a digestive tract abnormality that

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required surgery, and Josephine was in respiratory distress. Almost immediately, a transport team took Nora to St. Louis Children’s Hospital via ambulance, and Megan’s husband, Josh, followed.

With Josh and Nora at a hospital across town, Megan was determined to see Josephine. She made her way to the NICU floor of Progress West, where the nurses agreed to let Megan hold her hand and stroke her face for just for a moment, and something miraculous happened.

“They were preparing to intubate her,” recalls Megan. “I just remember feeling so overwhelmed and praying that God would let her oxygen stabilize as I spoke to her and touched her. From there, she continued to improve, and over the next

few days was off of oxygen support altogether and able to stay by my side.”

Meanwhile, during the first few days after the girls were born, Josh spent every waking minute with Nora at St. Louis Children’s Hospital - more than an hour away from their home in Wentzville, Missouri. Megan and Josephine were at Progress West, and their 3-year-old daughter, Sophia, stayed with grandparents.

On Nora’s sixth day of life, she underwent a primary repair surgery and received a temporary colostomy. All the while, Josh had not left her side, other than a few short trips down the hall to the Ronald McDonald Family Room.

“Josh is a detective, so he is used to not sleeping, but he’s not used to the stress of your child being sick and needing surgery,” says Megan. “The Ronald McDonald Family Room volunteers helped with everything: towels to take a shower, a hot cup of coffee and snacks. They made it feel like home.”

As soon as she was able, Megan joined Josh to be near Nora. In fact, she was able to hold Nora for the first time before they wheeled her back for surgery. As a nurse herself, Megan knew the importance of family-centered care. The Ronald McDonald Family Room made it possible for both

of them to be advocates for Nora 24/7.

“The Family Room was a lifesaver to say the least,” says Megan. “It helped our family in a big way.”

After five weeks, Nora was able to return home and be reunited with her twin sister, Josephine, who had spent a total of three weeks in the NICU at Progress West. Three months later, just before Thanksgiving, Nora’s colostomy was successfully reversed. Now, the girls are happy, healthy, growing babies, with a tiny scar on Nora’s belly serving as a reminder of all they have overcome.

Over the holidays, the Smiths asked family and friends to donate Wish List items to the Ronald McDonald Family Room in honor of Nora - and the display of gratitude was amazing! Megan and Josh delivered two carloads of household essentials and snacks to St. Louis Children’s Hospital for other families seeking comfort and care through our Family Room Program, and we could not be more grateful for their support.

“From our family to all who donate and volunteer with RMHC, thank you,” say Megan and Josh.

“Because of you, families like ours are able to focus on what really matters: our children’s health and happiness. God bless.” ■

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: MATT SCHEU When volunteer Matt Scheu donates his time and expertise to RMHC, he is paying it forward.

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ive years ago, Matt’s son, Nolan, The Scheu Family spent time with RMHC volunteer and St. Louis Blues was born prematurely. Because defenseman Colton Parayko at the McGift Shoppe in 2019, when they his lungs were underdeveloped delivered gifts for RMHC families that were collected at their holiday party. at birth, Nolan was in and out of the hospital for the first year of his life. During Services Manager for the West County Ronald that time, Matt and his wife, Sarah, found comfort McDonald House. and care inside the Ronald McDonald Family By donating his services, Matt is helping ensure Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. that donations to RMHC go to helping guest “We’re from St. Louis, so we didn’t have a far families more directly, as opposed to household drive to get home, but it wasn’t always possible maintenance, including plumbing. to travel back forth,” recalls Matt. “The Family “Going into the different Houses and seeing how Room allowed my wife, who was staying wonderful the organization is reassures me that overnight, to get away from the hospital room, the little bit of money I might be able to save them take a shower or have a snack.” will go to being used in a better way,” says Matt.

Even after Nolan got well, the Scheu family However, Matt’s generosity does not end there. never forgot the kindness they experienced in the For the past two years, he and his family have been Family Room. So, a few years later, Matt decided hosting a Christmas party for more than 125 people, to attend an RMHC Volunteer Information Session. complete with food, drinks and even pictures with “My son was healthy, and I was trying to think of Santa Claus! And to help celebrate the season something to give back,” he says. of giving, each guest brings an item to donate to It turned out that Matt, who is a plumber with RMHC’s McGift Shoppe, where Ronald McDonald Local 562 Plumbers & Pipefitters and Merlo House families can shop for loved ones free-ofPlumbing Co., had a very useful set of skills that charge during the month of December. were put to use right away at all three St. LouisWe are extremely grateful to Matt – and all of area RMH locations. He has tackled everything our volunteers who share their unique areas of from snaking dozens of shower drains to expertise – for helping us provide comfort, care locating the cause of a mysterious leak, giving and a home-away-from-home to seriously ill our staff peace of mind, saving our organization children and their families. If you or someone thousands of dollars and preventing costly you know has a special skill you would like to repairs down the road. share with RMHC, please contact our Volunteer “Matt’s willingness to help with our plumbing Coordinator, McKenna Cooper, at issues allows us to keep our facilities in top mcooper@rmhcstl.com. ■■ shape for families,” says Jacob McGuire, Family

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Interested in becoming an RMHC Volunteer? Below are the current available opportunites!

Thank you to our Volunteers!

Family Room Volunteers: Volunteers are needed for evening and weekend shifts at our St. Louis Children’s Hospital and SSM Cardinal Glennon Ronald McDonald Family Rooms.

Maintence Volunteers: Volunteers with varying skills are needed on a weekly or bi-weekly basis at our Park Avenue house to help keep our Houses up and running for the families we serve.

Delivery Drivers: Volunteers are needed to make weekly runs to distribute supplies to our four Family Rooms.

For more information, visit www.rmhcstl.com/volunteer

In April, we enjoyed recognizing the amazing work our volunteers do during National Volunteer Week via social media.

While we weren’t able to host our annual Volunteer Appreciation Night event, please know how much we appreciate those who give their time and talents to RMHC St. Louis.

We look forward to seeing you again soon!

2019 HEART & SOLE AWARD

Deb Vogt, RMHC Board Chair, and Dan Harbaugh, RMHC President, presented ISC Contracting leaders Brian Stotts, Matt Green and Louise Mealer with the Heart & Sole Award.

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n December 2019, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis presented ISC Contracting with the annual Heart & Sole Award.

The Heart & Sole Award was created in 2005 to honor Coldwell Banker Gundaker for its more than

20-year commitment to our organization. Each year, RMHC St. Louis honors a new supporter or group of supporters who emulate Coldwell Banker Gundaker’s commitment and generosity.

ISC Contracting is a St. Louis based general contracting firm that has shown ongoing support to RMHC St. Louis since 1997. On one weekend each year, a large group of employees and their families participate in ISC Day, during which they complete home improvement projects at RMHC’s facilities to ensure that these Ronald McDonald Houses truly feel like home to the families they serve. The company has also been involved with the charity as a sponsor for its annual Kids & Clays Tournament and Dinner Auction fundraiser in August. In addition, ISC founders Dan Green and Scott Seymour have served on the Kids & Clays committee for the past 20 years, since the event’s inception.

“We are incredibly grateful for ISC Contracting’s tremendous partnership over the past 22 years,” says Dan Harbaugh, RMHC St. Louis President. ■ Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2020

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OUR FRIENDS. OUR PARTNERS. OUR FOUNDATION.

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e would like to thank our 2019 Cornerstone Society members for their generous support.

The Cornerstone Society was established in 2012 to recognize the individuals, organizations and corporations that give an unrestricted donation of $1,000 or more to RMHC St. Louis. In 2019, 534 Cornerstone Society members donated more than $2 million to help keep families close at a time when they need it most. For more information about the Cornerstone Society, please call Lauren St. John, Individual Giving Manager, at 314-932-4146.

On February 20, 2020, we hosted a Cornerstone Society Celebration at the Palladium - St. Louis to honor our 2019 donors. A short program recognized Mark and Mary Kohlberg, IUOE Local 148 and Emerson with awards for their incredible commitment to RMHC. We would also like to thank our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor, Mercy Kids, for underwriting the event.

Additional sponsors: The Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation; Edward Jones, Moneta Group, Simons and Cordes Group at UBS, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, World Pediatric Project; Argent Capital Management, Gardens of Grace, Graybar, HBM Holdings, and The Northern Trust Company.

HEART OF LOVE $25,000+ Ameren Corporation Charitable Trust Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. Block ♥ Donald H. and Mary Jane Buchanan Foundation Emerson ♥ Friends of RMHC (4) Mr. Anthony W. Irace ♥ Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc. Ronald McDonald House Charities (Global) Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tri-State Co-op Larry and Sharon Carrico/ SKC Enterprises, Inc. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. James Sramek ♥ St. Louis Children’s Hospital

HEART OF COURAGE $20,000-$24,999 American Direct Marketing Resources, LLC The Butler Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Flagg ♥ Friend of RMHC (1) Harlene and Marvin Wool Foundation Mercy Kids ♥ Paul Simon Jr. Impact Foundation

HEART OF HEALING $15,000-$19,999

Top Left: Mark and Mary Kohlberg; Top Right: Dan Harbaugh, RMHC President, with IUOE Local 148 representatives, Brian Favier, Darryl Byrd and Eric Mooshegian; Bottom Right: RMHC Board Chair, Deb Vogt, with Dave Rabe, Vice President, Corporate Social Responsiblity for Emerson.

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Mr. Demetrick M. Coleman ♥ Connor’s Cause Edward Jones Mr. and Mrs. Mark E. Kohlberg ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David W. May McDonald’s Co-op of Metro St. Louis, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Edward M. Potter Mr. and Mrs. Gary Schuette ♥ St. Louis Lodge No. 5 IOOF ♥ Bold - Cornerstone Society Founding Member ♥ - Eight-Year Consecutive Donor

HEART OF COMPASSION ■ $10,000-$14,999 Mr. and Mrs. Scott Bazoian ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Mike DeCola ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Gary G. Deeken ♥ Mr. Paul DeJong Mr. and Mrs. Greg R. Diekemper/ Gardens of Grace ♥ Friend of RMHC (1) Mr. and Mrs. Steve Geeding

Kelly and Dan Harbaugh ♥

Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig ♥ Mrs. Marlyn K. Micheletto Mr. and Mrs. James Mosby ♥ Packaging Concepts, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Zsolt Rumy Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shay Skarie Charitable Fund

St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer ♥ Swanson Masonry Paul and Patricia Taylor Family Foundation WSDC Foundation

HEART OF HOPE ■ $5,000-$9,999 Mr. James Auffenberg AXA Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey J. Barone ♥ Blues for Kids Foundation Brinkmann Constructors Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Burnes ♥ SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Coca-Cola USA Didion Orf Recycling, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dowling ♥ Mr. Derick L. Driemeyer Eagle Nonwovens, Inc. Emerson Hermetic Motor Enterprise Holdings Foundation ♥ ESCO Technologies, Inc. ♥ Express Scripts Foundation Facebook Individuals Mr. and Mrs. Stephen A. Fahrig ♥

Mrs. Barbara A. Farrel ♥ Mrs. Kay Gaines Mr. and Mrs. Dave J. Giarla ♥ Graybar Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Joseph R. Grimes Haberberger Mechanical Contractors ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Steve D. Haberberger, Sr. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hamacher Mr. and Mrs. Steve W. Hays, Sr. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Mark D. Heffernan Helmkamp Construction Co. Mr. David Helms Mr. John Hewitt Mr. and Mrs. Steve F. Holste ♥ Ms. Bridget Hoy Mr. and Mrs. John Irace ♥ Kadean Construction Company Keeley Companies

Mr. and Mrs. Jerald L. Kent Mr. and Mrs. Dave Kirkhuff Mr. and Mrs. Jon Knauss ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Donald T. Kukla ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Bernard J. Lears ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Melvyn L. Lefkowitz ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Erik K. Lescher ♥ Ms. Nancy Loftus Mr. and Mrs. Dan P. McCoy ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Harold M. Miles MKL Foundation, Inc. Moneta Charitable Foundation Mr. and Mrs. James W. Moore ♥ Mr. and Mrs. William B. Moskoff ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Harmon Mr. and Mrs. Timothy L. Myers ♥ O.K. Fasteners ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Steve J. Pelch ♥ Herman T. & Phenie R. Pott Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Nolan Ruiz Mr. Louis A. Russo ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David C. Sadler ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Lee J. Schuler ♥ Ms. Hannah Siegfried Simons and Cordes at UBS Financial Services, Inc. St. Louis Italian Invitational Golf Tournament for Charities Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Stieven Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. Syberg ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Raymond R. Van De Riet, Jr. ♥ Von Gontard Family Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Andrew C. Wegman ♥ Ms. Denise Wool ♥ World Pediatric Project Mr. and Mrs. David Yoder

Nidec Motor Corporation Commercial Motors Opus Foundation Mr. Richard Palank Paul Mitchell The School St. Louis Jacque Phillips, RN, BSN Piasa Charitable Foundation Radian Guaranty Inc. Ms. Mimi Ravarino Dr. Maureen B. Riffle and Mr. John J. Riffle ♥ RNR Custom Wheels and Tires Mr. and Mrs. Timothy M. Rohlman ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Matthew A. Rothgangel Mr. and Mrs. Brian Satterthwaite Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schlichter K-Meier Roof Systems, Inc./ Mr. and Mrs. Ken Schrautemeier ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Brad S. Seabaugh, Sr. ♥ Dr. and Mrs. Homer Sedighi Mr. and Mrs. Scott A. Seymour Mr. and Mrs. Mark Sifrig ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Roy Spiller

Sprowls Family Charitable Foundation SSE, Inc. Ms. Sarah E. Stephenson Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Stevens The Patricia A. Healey Fund of InFaith Community Foundation ♥ Theresa Caputo Fan Club Mr. and Mrs. Paul Thompson Mr. William P. Thompson Mr. and Mrs. Richard G. Thornberry Mr. David L. Tornetto ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Travers TRUiST Mr. and Mrs. Brian Ungles Ms. Deborah M. Vogt ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey F. Ward Mr. Timothy Ward Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Weible Mrs. Barbara Whitehead and Mr. James A. Spence ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Brian J. Wuertz ♥

HEART OF COMFORT ■ $2,500-$4,999 Frank Adam Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Altmann ♥ Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Argent Capital Management, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Chris Baer Bank of America Mr. and Mrs. Theodore W. Beaty ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David Beckel Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blankemeyer Blaylock Family Foundation ♥ The Boeing Company Ken Boyer Family Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Mr. Wayne R. Brinkman Caring and Sharing Thrift Shop Mr. Frank J. Cognata, Jr. ♥ Concord Village Lions Community Services Foundation, Inc. Ms. Jennifer Day-Fields Mr. and Mrs. John C. Distefano ♥ Mr. and Mrs. David J. Elhoffer ♥

First Community Credit Union Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth R. Fritz ♥ Mr. Sean T. Geoghegan ♥ Mr. and Mrs. George Gipson III ♥ Mr. Lincoln K. Gray ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Mark Haberberger Mr. and Mrs. Matt Harvey Ms. Wanetta Henry Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Hillmeyer ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Eric D. Holland Illinois Tool Works Foundation Mr. and Mrs. David W. Ingram Mr. and Mrs. Alan Kahn Dr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Kahn ♥ Mrs. Ana Kent Mr. and Mrs. Timothy A. Kohl ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Rich Kopp Ms. Chris Kumnick Mr. Robert J. Lieber ♥ Mr. Steven J. Malter ♥ Ms. Felicia Malter ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Jim L. Mather ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Stanley McCurdy Mr. and Mrs. John Meara Mr. and Mrs. John T. Murphy

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HEART OF THE HOME ■ $1,000 - $2,499 Adam’s Auction and Real Estate Services, Inc Ms. Serena Adams Mr. and Mrs. Gary Agne Ahrens Contracting, Inc. Mr. Tyler Alcorn Dr. and Mrs. Jorge Alegre AmazonSmile Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Appelbaum Mr. Dennis Araujo Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Arrick Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Aston Ms. Nikki Athanasiadis Mr. Darran Ayres Mr. Michael Backers Mr. David Bacon Mr. Robert Baer Bank of America Charitable Gift Fund Mr. Dan Bannan Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bantle Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Barnes Mr. and Mrs. George Baskin Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bauer Mr. and Mrs. Ted Bergman Mr. and Mrs. Steven Beshore Mr. Dennis Beutler Ms. Jaime Bierk and Mr. Jamie Marr Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bodine Mr. and Mrs. Mike Bokermann Mr. John Boyce Mr. John A. Brennan Mr. Jason Brenton Mr. Stephen Broun Tammy and Mike Brown Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Brown Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bueler ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Larry Burke Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Ed Burris ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Chris C. Busch Caleres Cares Charitable Trust Ms. Quintella Calvert Mr. Jim Camparato Mr. and Mrs. William Campbell Mr. William Caruso Mrs. Tracey A. Cavato Mr. and Mrs. James Chalmers Mr. Andrew Checkley Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Chestnas Chod Family Foundation Dawn Christoffersen and Jared Minkoff Mr. and Mrs. Mike Christopher Clark, Richardson and Biskup Consulting Engineers, Inc Mrs. Jeanne H. Cleveland and Mr. Jason R. Cleveland Color Art Palette Inc Community Health Charities of Kansas & Missouri Dr. Mary M. Cradock and Mr. Stuart Yancey Ms. Christine A. Crain

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Crowder Family Foundation Dr. and Mr. Angela Culler Mr. and Mrs. Art DeGuire ♥ Mr. Mozell Deloch Dr. Paul Deutsch Mr. and Mrs. John J. Diehl, Jr. Mr. Jeffrey Dobner, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Donohue Ms. Judith Dorhauer Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Douglass Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Dryden Dr. and Mrs. Justin Durel Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Greg Eilerman Mrs. Carol Elmendorf Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company Mr. and Mrs. John E. Evans III Mr. and Mrs. Mike B. Eveler Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Fedak Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Finerty Mr. and Mrs. James W. Finger II ♥ Mrs. Rita G. Fitzgibbons Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Foster ♥ Friend of RMHC (4) Mrs. Dana Francis Franklin Family Foundation Randy and Sandy Franklin Mr. and Mrs. George A. Franz Fru-Con Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Eduardo Garcia Ferrer Mr. and Mrs. Mark Garner Mr. and Mrs. Michael Garner Mr. and Mrs. Gus Gast ♥ Mr. Daniel Geraty Mrs. Bettie Gershman Mr. and Mrs. Chris Giarla Mr. William Ging Mr. and Mrs. Ron Gingerich GlaxoSmithKline Mr. and Mrs. Milton G. Goldenberg Dr. Elizabeth Goodman Mr. Stephen G. Goold Mr. Eric Gowin Mr. Travis Graham-Wright Mr. Brett Greifzu Mr. and Mrs. Brett Grohmann Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Guffey ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Haag, Jr. Ms. Brenda S. Haalboom ♥ Ms. Joan Haas Mr. and Mrs. Brian N. Hall Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads Hall Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Hanak Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence F. Hanebrink Mr. and Mrs. Craig A. Haney Mr. and Mrs. Ken Hannah Ms. Janet Haselhorst Mr. and Mrs. Alan Hautly/ Hautly Cheese Co. Mrs. Doris A. Hawkins Mr. Timothy E. Hayes Mr. and Mrs. Toby Heddinghaus Ms. Amy V. Heeger Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heeger ♥

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2020

Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hehmeyer ♥ Ms. Megan J. Heier Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Hempen Mr. and Mrs. Craig Herron Mr. Michel Heutel Dr. and Mrs. Michael J. Hoffmann Hogan Transportation Companies Mr. and Mrs. Michael R. Hogan Hope Chapel United Methodist Church Mr. Randy Horrell Mr. and Mrs. Keith R. Hosto ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Rob Howe Mr. Jason A. Huff Mr. and Mrs. Matthew D. Hunter Icon Mechanical Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Iovaldi JC School District No 1 Mr. and Mrs. Brian Jett Mr. Michael T. Jett JM Family Enterprises ♥ John & Bernadine Foster Foundation John Fabick Tractor Co. Mr. Don Johnson Ms. Cheryl Jones Dr. Ehab M. Kaiser and Ms. Dalia Soliman Mr. and Mrs. David Kaltenrieder Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Karpel Ms. Katherine Kearins Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Kelly ♥ Mr. Corey Kemp Mr. and Mrs. Larry J. Kettenbach, Jr. Kiwanis Club of Hampton Midtown ♥ Kiwanis of Crestwood/ Sunset Hills Mr. and Mrs. Mike T. Klak Mr. and Mrs. James H. Klocke Mr. and Mrs. Lester E. Knopp Mr. and Mrs. Joseph G. Koenig Korean American Association of Scott Area Mr. Jesse R. Kramper Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Kuryla Ms. Kimberly M. Kutis Mr. and Mrs. Michael Lamartina Ms. Donna Moog and Mr. Leonard M. Landsbaum Mr. and Mrs. Paul G. Lane Mr. Jeff Lapidus Ms. Dorothy Laster Mr. and Mrs. Colin Lauer Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Lauer Mr. Jack Lay Mr. Gary Lazaroff Mr. and Mrs. Daniel J. Leary Mr. and Mrs. Bob Leonard Mr. and Mrs. Eric Lindemann Lochmueller Group Ms. Margaret O. Lockhart Mr. and Mrs. John Londoff, Jr. Ms. Irene Loy Mr. and Mrs. James D. Lucas

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen T. Lux ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Shayn Mabury Mr. David Macke Dr. Jorge Marcial and Dr. Katie Herzog Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Marquitz Mr. Paul Marshall Mr. and Mrs. John J. Matejcic ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Randy Mathews ♥ Mr. Taylor Matthews Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mauger ♥ McAlister Family Foundation Ms. Carole McCabe Mrs. Virginia V. McCook Mr. Jeffrey McCurdy Dr. and Mrs. Douglas McDonald Ms. Veronica McGee Ms. Clara McLeod Mr. and Mrs. Ryan McMasters Ms. Joy McMillen Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Medelberg Mr. and Mrs. Alan M. Meyer ♥ Microsoft Giving Campaign Keiko and George Miller Mr. and Mrs. John D. Modder Mrs. Cheryl Moellenhoff Mr. and Mrs. William L. Moench, Jr. ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Dan Moll Monsanto/Bayer Ms. Betty J. Moskoff Mr. and Mrs. John Moskoff Mr. William A. Moskoff Mr. and Mrs. John Mountain ♥ Mueller Prost Mr. and Mrs. Dean P. Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Harry Mueller Mr. and Mrs. Gary E. Muenster Dr. and Mrs. Jordan Nepute The Northern Trust Company St. Louis Mr. and Mrs. Brian E. Norton Mr. and Mrs. McDara O’Brien Mr. Dave Oller and Mrs. Jill Oller Mr. Brendan Orf Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Orlet Mr. and Mrs. Chris J. Ott Mrs. Tammy Owens Dr. and Mrs. George A. Paletta, Jr. Mr. Scott Partridge Peabody Energy Matching Gifts Program Mrs. Pam Pearson Mr. Michael Petru Ms. Joy Phillips Mr. and Mrs. James A. Piepenbrok Ms. Robyn Pilliod Mr. Bill Pocilujko Ms. Nancy J. Pruitt Mr. and Mrs. Rich F. Rafuse ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Rainford Mr. and Mrs. Michael Ratkewicz Chris M. Ramsey and Lisa A. Moggio Mrs. Christine Y. Rands Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rawlings Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Reeves Ms. Barbara C. Regnell

Mr. David Reiniesch Mr. and Mrs. Lee K. Renz ♥ Mr. Timothy M. Reich and Ms. Tracey L. Reynolds Mr. and Mrs. David D. Rhodes Mr. and Mrs. Kent Richardson Ms. Jacquelynn Richmond Mrs. Paula Richter ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Rodger Riney Mr. Roger Ringering Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. Roberts, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Richard C. Rodgers Mr. and Mrs. Donald L. Ross Mr. and Ms. Peter Roy Mr. Larry Runner Mr. and Mrs. Steve Runyon Ms. Catherine M. Sabinash and Mr. Lawrence L. Heinrich Mr. Jim Saffo Mr. and Mrs. John M. Saguto Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Saks Mr. and Mrs. Matt Sander Mr. Tom W. Santel

Ms. Wanda Scheldt Mr. and Mrs. John Schicker Mrs. Barbara A. Schieler Mr. and Mrs. Keith Schieler ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Michael K. Schmid ♥ Ms. Colleen Schoendienst ♥ Mr. Tony Schulte Mr. and Mrs. John W. Schultz Mr. and Mrs. Roger P. Schurig ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Troy Schuster Mr. and Mrs. Andrew V. Sciaroni Mr. and Mrs. James Shaughnessy Ms. Sandy Sheldon Mr. and Mrs. Michael Shepard Mr. and Mrs. Steve D. Short Sidener Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Jim Simon Mr. and Mrs. David Simons Simpson Construction Materials, LLC. Mr. Matthew J. Smith ♥ St. Louis Community Foundation St. Louis Pre-Sort, Inc.

Dr. and Mr. Brent Stevens The Stonebright Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Francis Stroble Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Strunk Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Swiecicki Takeda Pharmaceuticals Employee Giving Programs Mr. and Mrs. Jason Tedesco Ms. Nancy Tegeler Mr. James Terry Mrs. Nancy M. Thomas Mr. and Mrs. John M. Thorman ♥ Mr. Shane Twichell UMB Bank US Bank Ms. Carla J. Valenti ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Michael Vasta Vi-Jon Laboratories, Inc. Village Green Vogel Heating & Cooling Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Wagner Major and Mrs. Donald Wallace

Mr. and Mrs. Mike Walsh Mr. and Mrs. Breck R. Washam Mr. and Mrs. Mark Weaver ♥ Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Webster-Maclean Foundation Dr. and Mrs. Glen Weeks ♥ Mrs. Kelly Westbrook Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Whelan Mr. Robert Whittingham Mr. and Mrs. Gary Wiethuchter Mr. Kory Wilcox Mr. Kurt Will Mr. and Mrs. William Willhite Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Wist Mr. and Mrs. Keith Wolkoff Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Woodard World Wide Technology Inc. Mr. Chad Wunsch Ms. Marilyn K. Wynd Mr. and Mrs. Scott Zehnder

THANK YOU! We are extremely grateful for all of our generous supporters.

To see a full list of our 2019 Annual Giving donors, visit www.rmhcstl.com/donors.

MAJOR IN-KIND DONORS The following organizations and corporations made gifts in-kind valued at $1,000 or more to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis between January 1 and December 31, 2019.

Above All Development/ Home2 Suites Forest Park Accu-Care Home Nurses, Inc. Aerial Bouquets Ameristar Casino St. Charles Ms. Teresa Bergman Mr. Ken Berresheim Best Buy Mr. and Mrs. Stuart L. Block Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Borowiak Mr. William Brasher Mr. Sean Busch Cardinal Stamper Stampin Up Group Contegra Construction Company, LLC Continental Research Corporation CRB USA Crown Packaging Corporation CSI Leasing Mr. and Mrs. Carl J. Deselm Dinner Divas

Dorsey & Associates Inc. Ms. Kayla Drury Dynamic Vending, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy Elmendorf Emerson Fox Theatre Gabriel Group Girl Scout Troop 637 Girl Scout Troop 8139 Mr. Richard Goldberg, DMD Dr. Mathew Gornet Green Park Senior Living Ms. Laura Guelker Heartland Coca Cola Mr. and Mrs. Ronald E. Henges Mrs. Stacy Hirsch Mr. and Mrs. Steven L. Hopkins ISC Contracting Ms. Sharon Kendall LEGO Group Lewis Rice, LLC Mr. and Mrs. Howard P. Loiterstein

Macy’s Department Store Galleria Major Brands, Inc. Martin Brower Meadows Parkway Early Childhood Meyer Group Inc. Midwest Petroleum Corporation Mount Pleasant Estates Parenting Children with Special Needs Inc. PARIC Corporation Alan and Amber Piel Prairie Farms Dairy Project Linus Protective Asset Protection Mr. and Mrs. Rich F. Rafuse Reinsurance Group of America Ronnoco Coffee Roofing Services & Solutions/ Tecta America Dr. David Rosenberg Rottler Pest Control Rubicon Global

Schaefer’s Hobby Shop, Inc. Ms. Patricia Scherzinger Mr. Matt Scheu Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Schlichter Dr. and Mrs. Homer Sedighi SSE, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Randall D. Stoffel Swagelok The Giving Doll The Magic House The Meyer Group The Orthopedic Center of St. Louis Thirty-One Gifts Thompson Street Capital Partners Three French Hens Tri Rinse US Pack Logistics, LLC Wall to Wall Cleaning Services Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey F. Ward Woodlawn Chapel Presbyterian Church

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MEMORIALS The following gifts were made in memory of someone special from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019.

Joe Albaugh Mr. Ross H. Mulder Joseph Alonzo Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Debbie Anderson Ms. Nanette Smith Donald K. Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Ervin D. Weinmeister Anthony P. Arancio Mr. and Mrs. Rudolf M. Sida Bruce C. Aulbach Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Richard Baalmann Mr. and Mrs. John D. Weiss Judith Bailey Mr. Martin Bondurant Mr. and Mrs. Joel Halterman Manilow Music Of Missouri Ms. Kay Roth Ms. Debbie Kaup Ms. Nancy Schejbal Donna Barbee Mrs. Susan May Matthew K. Bazoian Mr. Don Johnson Patricia Belcher Mr. and Mrs. William Canepa, Jr. Jack Bernsen Mr. Robert Breitbarth Sandra Biver Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Clare Blase Mr. John Blase Bernard Block Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Barrett Bone Ms. Daphne Bone Carson N. Boyer Mr. Kevin Dantley Mr. Eric Ford Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Mrs. Catie Horseman Mr. Tom Hughes Dr. Juliana Iarossi Mrs. Julie James Mr. Roger L. Keech Mr. Kevin Kuhn Ms. Shalene Link Ms. Kellie Owens Ms. Robin Parkin Renaissance Plastic Surgery Mr. and Mrs. David A. Robertson

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(Boyer cont’d) Mr. and Mrs. James Rothove Mr. Neal Schroeder Dr. Gary Shanker Rich and June Brandt Mr. and Mrs. David R. Brandt Kevin Brennan Mr. John O. Phillips Dr. Robert V. Brennan Mrs. Doris Bender Mrs. Diane Branson Ms. Catherine Bray Ms. Charlene Brennan Ms. Mary Brennan Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Brennan Mr. Jerry Budai Mr. and Mrs. Philip B. Cady, Jr. Ms. Diana D. Ebeling Mr. Leonard Ehlmann Ms. Agnes Ehrhart Mrs. Frances Epplin Ms. Kelly L. Graham Mrs. Bev Hagen Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mrs. Mary Ann Hawkins Ms. Patricia Hawkins Ms. Paula Hawkins Mr. Bill Knutson Ms. Linda B. Langsdorf Ms. Nancy Litzinger Mr. and Mrs. Douglas P. Lohmann Ms. Christine Martin Mr. John Paino Mr. and Mrs. Jay C. Rickmeyer Mr. and Mrs. Daniel P. Ryan Mr. John Sommers III Mr. Paul Szewczyk Mr. and Mrs. Dave Van de Riet William Brighoff Ms. Sherry F. Schmidt Patricia Broadstone Ms. Kathleen Griswold Mr. James Wurdeman Gretchen Brockmann Mr. and Mrs. Gary W. Brockmann Alex Brown Mr. and Mrs. Dawsey Brown Lorri Burgess-Elser Mr. Keith Huff Sara Burkhardt Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Larry Buffen Mr. and Mrs. Elliot M. Glassman

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2020

Shirley M. Bush Mrs. Victoria Briggs Ms. Virginia Burkemper Mr. and Mrs. Patrick K. Scarry Mr. Oliver Sitton Ronald Cain Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Lucille Calcaterra Mr. David L. Tornetto Elijah Caram Mr. and Mrs. Rich Hennicke Virginia Colter Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Ethan Craig Ms. Julie Arnold Ms. Alison Brown Ms. Linda Fuka Ms. Joan Gillingham Mr. Harold Harlow Ms. Victoria Karr Mr. John S. Keel Ms. Terri Keene Ms. Cyndi McLane Ms. Diana Miller Ms. Melody Potter Mr. Duane Quick Southern Boone School Mr. Kenny Wyatt Scott Culley Mrs. Jacqueline Kleinheiider Ms. Barbara Rellmann Ms. Debbie Schuerman Ms. Jeanne Snyder Walter and Anne Danaher Mr. James Danaher Caleb Davis Mrs. Vonda Davis Christopher Davis Ms. Patricia Burton Elizabeth Davis Ms. Patricia Burton John Del Bondio Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon Wilma Jean Dempsey Mr. and Mrs. Bruce L. Baggio Madison DePrey Ms. Kathleen Nelson Alyson Dickerman Mr. and Mrs. Harvey W. Ordelheide David Dierberg Ms. Judy Dierberg Abilene R. Donze Ms. Carol Sexauer Anastasia Duffy Ms. Nancy A. Duffy

Andrew J. Durkin Mr. and Mrs. Andy Pullen Evan Easley Mr. Ryan C. Easley Viktor Ebers Mr. Bruce Ebers Harry Effinger Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Wibert Ehlers Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Eli Mr. Robert Rudolph Minnie Elkins Osborn Ms. Karen Denzik Chase Elmendorf Heaven Sent of the Ayco Charitable Foundation Breanne and Levina Erwin Ms. Debra K. Erwin Barry Flachsbart Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Haag, Jr. Sue Fletcher Marsha Deranja Mary Florich Meadows at Concord Rylan Foster Mr. and Mrs. Melvin L. Marr Betty Fucoloro Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dowling Ms. Patricia Heskes Ms. Kathy Langan Ms. Joan Twillman Ruth Fuller Mr. Brian Akerson Roger Gades Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Michael J. Gage Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt John E. Gass Mr. Jim Myerscough Cindy L. Geiersbach Mr. David L. Tornetto Gene Gerard Mr. and Mrs. John J. Vogt Harles Graham Mr. and Mrs. James E. Drenon Robert Grobe Ms. Linda Bereyso Ms. Emily Castle Mr. Kevin Loeffelman Ms. Kristy McGrady Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Palazzolo Mrs. Brenda Ruzicka Mrs. Kathleen Tamme

(Grobe cont’d) Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Mrs. Donna Villani Mr. Terry Young Jane Haley Hartwig, Inc. Edward Hallam Ms. Kristie Scherrer Megan L. Halsey Mr. Richard Halsey Patricia A. Hastings Ms. Laura Elliott Norman Hayes Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Patricia Heimann Ms. Allison Cicerelli Mrs. Toni Collins Gastorf Chevrolet Ms. Mary Moynihan Fred Heimburger Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Sharon Heimgartner Ms. Nancy A. Duffy Glynn Hickinbotham Mr. and Mrs. Dean T. Perry Betty A. Hillard Mr. Jack Hill Murrel L. Hines Mrs. Diane Hines Ms. Ella D. Hines Jaylea Hobbs Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Dr. Ronald Hoffmann Mr. David L. Tornetto Dorothea Holdener Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Martha Hundelt Ms. Cheryl Apenbrink Ms. Joan Besmer Mr. Philip Conrad Mrs. Janice Deiermann Mrs. Kim Eveld Ms. Linda Filla Ms. Veronica Gilliland Mr. Jerome Gindra Ms. Elizabeth Heideman Mr. Blake Kaelin Mr. and Mrs. Rory Karg Mrs. Patricia Kellar Mr. Thomas Mader Mr. and Mrs. James Mazzola Mrs. Lesa Meierotto Mr. and Mrs. Herman J. Nebel Mr. James Niemczyk Mrs. Cheryl Rohan Ms. Velma Rohan Ms. Barbara Salibi Mr. John Sieve

MEMORIALS CONTINUED (Hundelt cont’d) West County Financial Services Mr. Gary Willbrand Betty Hussman Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Paige James Mrs. Mary Jo Sgro Walter N. Jones Ms. and Mr. Marlene Carey Larry Koch Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Scott Ronald Krafft Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Marlene Kunz Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Richard Kunz Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Mary Ann Lachenicht Ms. Denice M. Faller Klipsch Construction, Inc. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Pelch, Jr. Ms. Shirley Wiesehan Mr. Brian Legate, Sr. Mr. Brian Legate Michael J. Lenzen The Family of Michael J. Lenzen Myla G. Lindsay Mr. and Mrs. Kent Hufty Ken Locker Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig Hazel Lowe SEMO Automotive Judy Lowe Mr. Mohamed Bah Mr. Edward J. Barry Best Brakes USA Ms. Jane Birkenmeier Ms. Kathy Bleitner Mr. David Bueltmann Ms. Geralyn Daut Mr. Gregg Derevyanik Ms Dana Galbraith Mrs. Rhonda Greene Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads Hall Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mrs. Yvonne Hasenmueller Mrs. Cindy Herbig Mrs. Nicolle Holdner Mr. and Mrs. Joe Hollenback Mr. and Mrs. Phil Jarvis Mr. Billy Johnson Ms. Sandy Kemp Mr. Charles Lardner Mrs. Frances Liuzza Mr. Russell Long

(Lowe cont’d) Lowe Automotive Warehouse & Store Hazel Lowe Mr. and Mrs. Mike Lowe Mr. and Mrs. John M. Moriarity Ms. Cindy Nilica Mr. William Oesterle Mr. Kevin O’Toole Ms. Jennifer Piper Polsono Mobile Ultrasound, P.C. Mr. Jeff Reid Ms. Robin R. Ringwald Mrs. Melody Roberts Ms. Anne Schaller Ms. Kathy Scholbe Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Schroeder Ms. Annette Schweiss Mr. Kurt Schweizer SEMO Automotive Ms. Michelle Short Mr. and Mrs. Kirk P. Syberg The Network Ms. Josephine Thiel Mr. Greg Tigges Mr. and Mrs. Matthew P. Villa Mrs. and Mr. Michelle C. Voss Louis Luciani Ms. Jill Berry Lucille Luck Mrs. Victoria Tornetto Ben Lurk Mr. Richard Ralston Mr. and Mrs. John J. Vogt Frankie E. Lyle Ms. Christie Lynch Margaret Mahurion Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Cowgill Richard Maurer Ms. Judith A. Maurer Cory McArthy Ms. Carol Clark Mrs. Joan Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Paul K. Cooper Ms. Mary Meyer John E. McCook Mrs. Virginia V. McCook Barbara McVey Ms. Barbara Hedges Mr. and Mrs. Les Hensley Mr. and Mrs. Steven P. Marley Mr. and Mrs. Lanny McVey Ms. Kathy Prieb Ms. Elenora Putnam Luetta Meggers Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt

Donald Miller Ms. Ilene J. Osherow Greg Miller Mr. and Mrs. Harold F. Walker Allison P. Mills Mr. James Appelbaum Ms. Krista Bernreuter Mr. John Bodenhausen Mr. James E. Crowe, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Brian T. Dallmann Mr. Allen Gallehugh Ms. Antonia M. Goelz Mrs. and Mr. Eileen Haubrich Mr. Brian Jackson Mr. Brandon Kealiher Mr. Andrew Lay Ms. Amanda McDaniel Mr. Dick Mills Ms. Mary Moline Family of Corrinne Morris Ms. Alison Nixon Mr. William Rees Ms. Dawn Richa Ms. Joanne Spiecker Kathryn W. Mobley Mr. and Mrs. Donald P. Nies Jeanette Mobray Ms. Joyce E. Thuston Al Moellenhoff Dr. Michael Handler Carl Moore Meadows at Concord Samuel Morrell Mr. and Mrs. Scott Morrell Vicki Moschner Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Nick Musial Ms. Denise Jobe Oner Onergil Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Patricia A. O’Rourke Mrs. Margaret Beck Mr. and Mrs. James Griffith Mr. and Mrs. Terry M. Maltzman Miles Paris Mrs. Justine Hunter Mr. Donald Kensell Ms. Mary Mundy Dale Patterson Mr. Larry Barnes Mr. James Booth Mr. Fred Calcaterra Mrs. Elaine Regelman Ms. Mary Rimini Lily Pratt Ms. Samantha Olenik Cameron Pries Ms. Saundra Banning Mr. Dean Cearlock

(Pries cont’d) Ms. Deborah Crowder Ms. Sonya Evans Ms. Cheryl Nalefski Personal Mobility Mrs. Suzan Tyberendt Cole Propst Mr. and Mrs. John B. Anderson Hillsboro Elementary Mapaville PTO Ms. Janet Politte Dorothy Quinlin Mr. and Mrs. Paul L. Buckman Peyton Raby Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Lenny Raiffie Mr. Jack Heligman Mr. Sunie J. Lasky Bob Rampton Mr. Steve Usselman Dorothy Randazzo Mr. David L. Tornetto Ravichandran Mr. Devanathan Krishnamurthy Frank Reasner Mr. Konrad Sauer Wanda L. Reitz Ms. Karen Mathis Chester Renkun Ms. Jane Johnston Salvatore Riggio Ms. Esther Buchsbaum Angela Ritter Mr. Andrew J. Ritter Elinor Robinson Mrs. Kristin Butler Raymond W. Rogers Mr. Delmar Rogers, Jr. Mitchell Rosen Mrs. Ruth Hartstein Rosemary Saffo Ms. Nancy Young Mary L. Scheer Ms. Rosemary Kinder Mr. and Mrs. John M. Saguto Julie Schenherr Ms. Nancy Earls Mr. Robert Kellogg Carl C. Schneider Mrs. Joanne R. Schneider Jim Schwartz Ms. Julia A. Allen Meadows at Concord Berle Shaprio Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Kramer Lori Shearon Mrs. June Garris Mr. and Mrs. Philip Throm Ms. Eve Yaekel

Bob Simmons Mr. and Mrs. Gary Levinson Sam Spehr Ms. Nancy A. Spehr Hadley R. Spina Mr. Mike Swoboda Mrs. Jennifer Tomiser Della Mae Stewart Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs Imogene Strassner Mr. and Mrs. John E. Buckner, Jr. Paul M. Tornetto Mrs. Victoria Tornetto Kyle Trambley Ms. Kirsten Trambley Katie Tremblay Ms. Christina Len Harper R. Truax Mr. and Mrs. Craig A. Haney Kathy Uhlenbrock Mr. and Mrs. James P. Foley Grace Utz Ms. Laura Oberkfell Judy Van Dyke Ms. Linda Van Dyke Austin Varvell Rayni Day Miracles Stephen Vickrey Mr. and Mrs. Ronald S. Burkhardt Connor R. Voigt Connor’s Cause Elijah Warren Mrs. Michele Parmeley Don Waymon Grand Chapter of Missouri, OES Susan Weber Mr. Leon Weber Axel Westbrook Ms. Stephanie A. Westbrook Charlie Westhoff Mr. Louis Westhoff Jeremiah J. White Mr. and Mrs. Lee G. Krabill Adele R. Williams Ms. Julie Orytl Ms. Nancy Rhode Dr. Percival P. Tiongson Estel Williams Kelly and Dan Harbaugh David Wood Ms. Kathleen R. Jacobs Marci J. Zimmerman Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman We make every effort to list all names correctly.

If you have a correction, please call 314.932.4134.

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TRIBUTES The following gifts were made in honor of someone special from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019.

Christi Aeschleman Ms. Connie Lambert Domenica Allen Joseph P. Vollmer and Susan Bartoni-Vollmer Sara Alstadt Mrs. Stephanie Warden Laila Anderson Sadie’s Alterations My 4 NICU babies Ms. Laura Bonebrake Aaron Vance Bailey Ms. Susan Remley Bartolino’s 50th Anniversary / The Saracino Family Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Mr. David L. Tornetto Jake and Jack Barton Mrs. Shannon Shores Everlei and Rylei Barylski Mrs. Tamara Tresch Ronald Beck Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Spielberg Pat and John Bender Ms. Deanna Helfer Caroline Brockmeier Mrs. Kara Brockmeier Nina Bertman Ms. Jennifer Sanwald Alexander Black Mr. and Mrs. Michael Towerman Bob and Mary Jo Blankemeyer Mrs. Judith Bachman Mr. and Mrs. Gerald E. Daniels Ms. Alice Weber The Boweman Family Mrs. Colleen Murray David and Lynn Brandt Mrs. Karen Stebelski Bob and Jinx Brennan Mr. and Mrs. James R. Brennan Mr. and Mrs. Thomas P. Brennan

(Brennan cont’d) Ms. Amy Howdeshell Catherine Moriarity Ms. Barbara Sanders Sharon Burkhardt Mrs. Rebecca A. Keaster Ms. MaryAnn Willey Shirley M. Bush Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wallis Wayne Automatic Sprinkler Corporation Kathy Callahan Mr. Robert Bedwell The Cecil Cate Family Mrs. Nancy McCanless Our Family Christmas Mrs. Kimberly Bonin Pat E. Coppinger Ms. Margaret Garcia Francis and Dolores Cosgrove Mr. and Mrs. James Cosgrove CWP Ms. Alicia Sabatino Rich and Diane Deichmann Ms. Deanna Helfer Bennett Dieckhaus Mr. John Hardey Judy Dierberg Ms. Ann H. Hunt Mr. and Mrs. John D. Leech Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Doelling’s 50th Wedding Anniverary Ms. Carol A. Lieb Connor Dorenkamp Ms. Treesa Misuraca Cindy Drew Mr. and Mrs. Sidney A. Hirsch Lynn Sue Eslinger Mr. Harold Eslinger Stephen A. Fahrig Mr. Ted Schnuck

The Isselhard and Bottini Families Michele Willis The Uhlmeyer Family Mr. Brian Gaither Don & Jeann Ferman’s 50th Wedding Anniversary Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ferman Chris Funken Mr. Micah Mayfield Larry Gardner Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Sterneck Pat Gavin LuVerne Stewart The Gegg Family Mrs. Ann Gegg Allison Gibbs Mackenzie and Joseph Wilmes Robert S. Goldenhersh Ms. Louise Goldenhersh Rosa Gordon Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey Gordon Andrew and Elaina Groneck Ms. Kimberly Groneck Brenda S. Haalboom Mr. and Mrs. Timothy T. King Taylor Hackworth Ms. Linda Hackworth Dody Hawkins Mrs. Crista Taylor Steve and Kathy Hays Ms. Robin Wenneker Mark, Joyce, Elise Ross and Kaitlyn Hemmen Mrs. Joyce Hemmen John C. and Bonnie Hill Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Josie A. Hobbs Mr. Ronald K. Hobbs John and Mary Hofman Kelly and Dan Harbaugh Madeline J. Huff Mr. Chris Gebben

Dana Huxley Mr. Robert Bedwell Junior Optimist Club of Festus-Crystal City Twin City Optimist Club Sharon and Bill Knuf Ms. Susan Walter Wesley Lay Mrs. Karen Gianino Mrs. Tiffany Ursch Kaitlyn Lindstedt Mr. Travis Graham-Wright John and Charlotte Litzinger Mr. and Mrs. Gary Biggs Mary McDevitt Mr. Mark DiMichael Willow McDivitt Ms. Sandra McDivitt Declan Nelson Ms. Cassie Blum Ms. Charlene Keller Mrs. Karla Merlak Michael Nickrent Mr. Brad Griswold Paxton T. Nienaber Ms. Elaine Ribas Mr. & Mrs. Frank J. Niesen, Jr. Mr. Frank J. Niesen III Gayle Ortyl Mrs. Jennifer L. Dolce Charles H. Rehm Mr. and Mrs. John Glunt Mr. and Mrs. John Riffle Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Reis IV Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis Mr. and Mrs. Jack J. Mestman TJ and Vanessa Sanders Mrs. Stephanie Sanders Judy Schuler Mr. and Mrs. Eric Lindemann Bert Schweizer Mr. and Mrs. Gary R. Hartwig

Vicki Seeburger Mr. and Mrs. William J. Dowling Kay F. Siegrist Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Weber Jim and Linda Sramek Mr. Ronald Faulbaum St. Luke’s Class of 1959 Mr. and Mrs. Calvin F. Dierberg Mr. Ron Shult Eric Struckhoff Mr. Frederick Dressel Joan Stupperich Mr. Stephen Schwartz Mark and Cindy Tampow Mrs. Jennifer L. Dolce Mike and Kathy Templer Ms. Amanda Templer The Jennings, Gianino, & Colombo Families Mr. and Mrs. Gary S. Gianino Rowan Turner Mrs. Amy Turner Clare Underwood Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S. Scott Vickie Vien Ms. Joanne Cuddeback Jane and E. Viscardi Ms. Amy Casey Al and Eileen Weber Mr. and Mrs. Ronald C. Marth Carla Wilcox Mr. Kory Wilcox Dan and Deb Winston Mr. Don Winston Elise Wolfslau Ms. Cheri Maier Stephen and Natalie Zerr Mr. Robert Heideman We make every effort to list all names correctly.

If you have a correction, please call 314.932.4134.

IN LOVING MEMORY Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis extends its deepest sympathy to the families of these very special children:

Serenity Borden Logan Callahan Isabella Dutton

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Braxton Godwin Nicholas Hochgraber Max Johnson

Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2020

Honey Mattesyn Wyatt Price Colton Scholz

Aivyn Walker

YOU CAN HELP

BRIGHTEN OUR FUTURE

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t Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis, we rely on friends like you to help us carry out our mission of providing a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children. It is because of you that critically ill children can receive the best medicine of all – the love and support of family – during a time when they need it most.

But what about the future? Though we’ve accomplished a lot since our first Ronald McDonald House opened on West Pine Boulevard in 1981, there is still much left for us to do and many more families to serve. Planned gifts help us get there.

These special legacy donations are more than just another way to give. They brighten the future of our organization and those we serve every day.

When you make a planned gift to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis you provide us with a solid financial foundation and help us plan for the future with confidence. There are several ways you can make a planned gift to RMHC St. Louis, many of which offer you benefits in return. Some popular gifts include: • Giving a gift in your will or living trust. This gift costs you nothing today and is easy to change as needed.

• Naming RMHC St. Louis as a beneficiary of your retirement plan assets. A simple form is all that’s needed to make this gift.

• Donating appreciated stock. When you give stock that is worth more now than when you bought it, you can avoid capital gains tax.

• Establishing a life income gift. Give a gift and receive steady income in return. You may even qualify for a tax deduction in the year you make your gift.

Whether you would like to put your donation to work today or benefit us after your lifetime, we can help you find a charitable plan that meets your goals. With your help, we can continue to provide a home-away-from-home for families of critically ill children for many years to come.

If you would like to discuss options for including charitable giving in your estate plans, or if you wish to disclose that you have included RMHC St. Louis in your will or trust, please contact Lauren St. John, Individual Giving Manager at 314.932.4146 or by email at lstjohn@rmhcstl.com. ■

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MEET THE ROSUCK FAMILY A family from Bisbane, Australia, traveled more than 8,000 miles seeking life-changing surgery for their twin boys.

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hree-year-old twins Benjamin and William have had quite the adventure. In December 2019, Benjamin and William, along with their parents, Sharon and Dan, two siblings and grandparents left their home in Brisbane, Australia, and boarded a 20-hour flight. Their destination? St. Louis Children’s Hospital.

Here in St. Louis, Benjamin and William underwent a special neurosurgery called selective dorsal rhizotomy, which is used to manage cerebral palsy by reducing spacticity and improving the ability to walk and stand. During their recovery, the Rosuck Family found a homeaway-from-home at the Ronald McDonald House on West Pine Boulevard, allowing them to focus all of their attention on

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Benjamin and William. The House, being situated just a few blocks away from the hospital, allowed the twins’ family a convenient space to rest and unwind.

“It was a safe place to sleep,” says Sharon of the Ronald McDonald House, adding that it was also an affordable option as opposed to paying for multiple hotel rooms over the course of their 30-day visit.

Even though they were thousands of miles away from home and their extended family, Benjamin and William enjoyed the holiday season in St. Louis.

They had the chance to learn about American traditions and enjoy the warm hospitality from the staff and volunteers.

The Rosuck family also utilized the third floor Ronald McDonald

Family Room located inside St. Louis Children’s Hospital. This special room gave the family a place to wait during the twins’ surgeries, where they could enjoy a kitchen with coffee and complimentary snacks, TVs, internet and more.

“Thanks to RMHC, there were a few less things to worry about while our children were in the hospital,” says Sharon.

After a successful recovery from their surgeries, Benjamin, William and their family arrived home safely from their St. Louis adventure in January. The family has settled into their new routine with daily therapy sessions for the twins. The boys are excited with the progress they have made and look forward to what the future has in store for them. ■

A HOME RUN PARTNERSHIP St. Louis Cardinals All-Star shortstop Paul DeJong steps up to the plate for The House That Love Built.

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ast fall, St. Louis Cardinals All-Star shortstop Paul DeJong donated $11,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of St. Louis after smashing the “M” in the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium. DeJong continues to help families of seriously ill children during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating eleven nights worth of meals.

“The shattering of the Big M was a divine start to our partnership. I’m committed to the children and families involved in the Ronald McDonald House. We hope to instill hope and imagination through baseball, education, music and some home cookin’,” says DeJong.

Joining him in the effort are DeJong’s agent and best-selling author, Burton Rocks, and chemist, author, and professor Dr, Lawrence Rocks, who

have donated three additional meals each. The Rocks family members are no strangers to the importance of keeping families close; Burton experienced his first medical emergency as a 2-year-old and was in and out of the hospital into his adult life.

DeJong, Rocks and Dr. Rocks are all serving as science and literacy ambassadors for the 2020 “TOPPS of the Class” campaign. RMHC guest families received one of three exclusive autographed baseball cards. These cards are rare because DeJong is only handing them out at appearances, hospital visits and other events.

We couldn’t be more grateful for the continued support to families when they need it most from DeJong, Rocks and Dr. Rocks. ■

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NEW FACES Meet the newest staff members of RMHC St. Louis!

LAUREN BRYANT

is excited to join the RMHC St. Louis family as Administrative Assistant at the Park Avenue House.

Lauren recently graduated with a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Webster University and is honored to help serve the mission of RMHC. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering on her son at hockey games, fitness, and spending quality time with friends and family.

MAKAYLA JOHNSON

is excited to have joined RMHC as the Family Room Assistant Manager. Makayla recently graduated from Missouri State University with a background in Child Life Studies and is excited to continue supporting families and volunteers in the hospital setting.

Makayla enjoys the finer things in life, including eating pizza rolls with her cat, Mel.

JASON HUFF, Vice

President, Development, saw first-hand the impact of our Family Rooms when his son was born seven weeks early and spent two weeks in the NICU in 2007. He has been a huge fan of RMHC ever since and joined our team in October 2019. He is an adjunct professor in the nonprofit management programs at Webster University and Washington University. Jason loves spending time with family, friends and his goldendoodle.

EMILY KOHLBERG

is delighted to be the newest member of the RMHC Human Resources team; bringing with her 15 years of HR experience from various industries. In her free time, Emily enjoys working out and spending time with her husband, Brian, and their two kids, Aubriana and Blake.

A NICE TAX DEDUCTION COULD BE ROLLING YOUR WAY! Are you looking to get rid of a used or unwanted vehicle? Donating it to RMHC is easy! We will arrange for someone to pick it up and sell it on your behalf, and you will receive a tax deduction for the sale value of the vehicle. Best of all, proceeds from the average vehicle donation cover the cost of a family’s one-week stay at the Ronald McDonald House. To donate your vehicle, please visit www.onecarhelpsrmhc.com or call 1-855-227-7435. For more information, call Jason Huff, Vice President, Development, at 314-932-4145 or email jhuff@rmhcstl.com.

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Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2020

A LONGSTANDING TRADITION

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hen talking to Howard Loiterstein, it’s easy to tell that he is a man of service and selflessness. He genuinely wants to get you know you, and you feel an instant connection and are immediately at ease.

Despite his busy role as Senior Vice President at Merrill Lynch, Howard finds time to give back to Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis. Each Thanksgiving, Howard and his wife, Phyllis, and others, including longtime volunteers Bob and Clarice Manges, and Mitch and Joyce Podowski, load SUVs full of food to ensure that families have a bountiful Thanksgiving meal. In fact, this tradition has been in Howard’s family for years, since his mother, Olly Rosenberg Loiterstein, began volunteering with fellow members of her B’nai B’rith chapter.

“My mother, who passed away in 2010 at 92 years old, started going with her B’nai B’rith group, a Jewish organization devoted to service, and started supplying Thanksgiving dinner,” says Howard.

In the beginning, Ollie would bring Howard and his brother along to drop off food, such as homemade casseroles, on Thanksgiving morning. Friends of his mother, Joyce and Jackie Rudolph, would bring the turkey every year.

Howard left St. Louis early in his career but returned in 1984, helping out his mother who was in her 60s drop off food, visit with guests of the

Ronald McDonald House, and recruit others who wanted to help.

And as the years rolled by, Howard continued enlisting his family and close friends, making the tradition bigger every year. Last year, Howard and his fellow volunteers filled five SUVs full of food with plenty of side dishes, as well as extra turkey and bread.

“My mother would be happy that it’s continuing,” says Howard, “but she would always want us to do more. If she saw the five SUVs, she would probably tell us to do six SUVs next year.”

Reflecting on his history with RMHC, Howard recalls what has meant the most to him every time he serves.

“I have healthy kids and grandkids, and seeing young parents going through these difficult times with their kids, I cannot imagine what they go through,” says Howard. “But, coming here to help lets them know that people really do care about them.”

Throughout the rest of the year, Howard enjoys his time at home with family and his work at Merrill Lynch, sending out memos for RMHC volunteer opportunities to ensure the tradition continues. Howard keeps his mother’s memory alive through his service on Thanksgiving and hopes that his children and their children will do the same long after he is gone. ■

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HEARTBITS Little Ava and her dad loved picking out this Sesame Street-themed handmade hat.

Special thanks to the crafters at Hats from the Heart for donating these for our guest families!

After 202 days at the Park Avenue Ronald McDonald House, the Houston Family went home with little Exzavior. We are so happy for this family!

Yummy! Chef Mark from Favazza’s dropped off box lunches to all three Ronald McDonald Houses! Our guest families enjoyed the “old-world Italian meals” during their stay in St. Louis.

Escarleth loved the special Beanie Babies gift from the Daughters of the American Revolution. This generous group regularly brings RMHC families care packages!

August and his family stopped by to visit and drop off Wish List items!

Their family stayed at the Park Avenue House for three months in 2017. We were so glad to see them again.

Super siblings Kowen, Kingslynn and McKenna called our West County House “home.”

Together they make a SUPER team and put big smiles on all of our faces!

Our friend Jaxon saves tabs because his family stayed at RMHC while he underwent liver surgery. He dropped off his collection complete with a fun container. Thanks for visiting, Jaxon!

More than 600 St. Louis College of Pharmacy students, faculty and staff participated in the STLCOP C.A.R.E.S day. Special thanks to this group for volunteering at the West Pine House!

!

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Heartbeat • Spring/Summer 2020

Love lives here! Thank you to the St. Louis community and beyond for sharing these heartwarming moments with us.

The Tacos and Desserts Dash for Declan was a success! Special thanks to the Declan Nelson family for donating snacks to our Ronald McDonald Family Room!

Amari is feeling the magic at the Ronald McDonald House on West Pine Boulevard. She always knows how to put a smile on our face!

The Wilbur Family stopped by the Ronald McDonald Family Room at St. Louis Children’s Hospital for a Random Acts of Kindness day in memory of their son, Aidan.

Louis was one of the first RMHC guests to enjoy the new furnishings donated by LaZ-Boy Furniture.

Nothing beats a short nap in a comfy chair!

Ethan and his family made a return visit to our Park Avenue House during the holidays! To give back, they brought a gift bag for each guest family filled with goodies to spread cheer.

Laila Anderson donated the proceeds from a raffle of a one-of-akind table to RMHC St. Louis. Special thanks to The Jacks NYB, Youth Sports Outreach and Laila!

Wow! Special Our friend Braxton thank you to the collected $22.73 members of the for RMHC families Korean-American through acts of Association of kindness!

Thanks Scott Area for for showing the generous how donation! everyone small change can make a BIG difference, Braxton!

Power up! Carmen and Yendry are feeling super.

Because of RMHC, they never have to fight alone.

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St. Louis

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